2015 French Open QF: Djokovic v. Nadal

[GameSetAndMath]

Oh Boy, this is going way too fast.

 

[Riotbeard]

Novak winning 80% of the points thus far

 

[Federberg]

I'd better stop gloating. The number of times Roger has been 5 0 up against Rafa only to be pulled back uzzled

 

[Moose]

Not even. What will it signify? If Novak wins, he's already #1. If Rafa wins, he's still the best at RG and still #6 or whatever. Wimbledon 08 was a changing of the guard.

I respectfully disagree. You are talking about the greatest clay courter of all time - if Nole wins this match, I think it's a changing of the guard as well. Soderling's win was a fluke. Nole's win would be a dethroning.

That was NOT a fluke. Not having it. Soderling did what Stanimal did yesterday in conducive conditions. Please do not diminish a career match :nono

I should clarify - I did not mean fluke in terms of the win, because Robin totally outplayed Rafa. I meant more in the sense of the history of tennis. Soderling's win did not change the power structure, since Rafa went on to win the next 5 French titles. And no one referred to Robin afterward as the top ATP player on clay.

My personal felling is that if Novak wins today, it's a change in the power structure - I think then Novak becomes, with the title, the best clay player in the the game today. Not dismissing Rafa's incredible history here, only saying that for the present moment, Novak has taken over as the best ATPer on clay.

 

[Federberg]

This is extraordinary. Novak keeps pounding away at the Rafa forehand

 

[Riotbeard]

I don't get why more people don't attacke rafa's forehand...

Maybe because he never used to drop it so short as he has been lately???

Definitely easier said than done, but it's really the only way to beat rafa.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Signs of life from Rafa

 

[Federberg]

Novak :cover

 

[nehmeth]

Rafa is on the board.

 

[nehmeth]

Novak :cover

Gloating before a match is over is always bad karma. :nono

 

[Moose]

So Lendl may have been the short term best of the glamour coach hirings, but it is looking more and more like Boris is having the most significant impact amongst the former greats now coaching.

 

[Kirijax]

Well, well, well. Novak getting a bit too confident maybe. But he still has this set.

 

[nehmeth]

Ralf is insinuating himself into this match. Novak on his heels. He's serving into the sun and Ralf could be right back on serve after this.

Nice net cord there. :cover

 

[britbox]

Nadal beginning to warm to the task.

 

[Federberg]

Jeepers

 

[Riotbeard]

Better play from Rafa. Novak will have his work cut out for him.

 

[Kirijax]

LOL Come on Djokovic. Something about Nadal plus Paris spooks him or something? :huh:

 

[Riotbeard]

COme on!

 

[Federberg]

That backhand dtl is all you need to see to understand this matchup

 

[nehmeth]

15-40 Lol. C'mon Nole.